Boughs of Holly: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
As Performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Words and music by Paul O'Neill and Robert Kinkel / arr. Bob Phillips and George Megaw
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0007660
$77.00
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Description
A fresh take on the beloved traditional carol, this hit from The Christmas Attic show, created and performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, will be a delightful opener or closer at the holidays! With optional electric guitar, bass, and keyboard parts and the driving percussion, let your imagination loose when staging this one! (4:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Boughs of Holly: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
262
SKU:
00-PK-0007660
More about this title
About the Composer: Paul O'Neill
Paul O'Neill is the creative force behind Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the theatrical rock band known for blending classical instrumentation with progressive rock storytelling. As composer and conceptual architect of TSO's landmark albums and touring productions, O'Neill has shaped a distinctive sound that draws from film scoring, classical music, and contemporary rock idioms.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the kinetic energy of a Trans-Siberian Orchestra production while remaining genuinely playable by developing concert bands. The optional electric guitar, bass, and keyboard parts give your ensemble flexibility to scale the sound to match your instrumentation, and the 4-minute runtime makes it an ideal opener or finale for a holiday concert without consuming your program balance.
What to expect
Driving and theatrical, with the reverence of a familiar carol filtered through arena rock energy. The piece balances nostalgia with contemporary edge, creating a holiday sound that feels neither purely classical nor purely pop, but rather a collision of both worlds.
Who it's for
Concert bands working at the Grade 3 level who want holiday repertoire that excites both performers and audiences. Directors seeking a contemporary take on traditional carols will find this accessible without sacrificing musical substance, and the TSO connection brings immediate recognition and appeal.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a steady, driving pulse with your percussion section from the downbeat. The piece relies on rhythmic momentum, so lock in your battery early in rehearsals and keep that foundation tight throughout.
- Balance the melody between woodwinds and brass so neither section overwhelms the other. The traditional carol should emerge clearly despite the rock energy surrounding it.
- If you're using the optional electric guitar, bass, and keyboard parts, rehearse them independently first, then layer in your full band to hear how the contemporary instrumentation integrates with the core concert band sound.
- Approach dynamics with drama. This arrangement thrives on contrasts between sections, so commit fully to both your quiet moments and your full-ensemble climaxes.
How to use it
Open your holiday concert with this to set an energetic, modern tone, or close your program on an uplifting note that leaves the audience buzzing. It pairs well alongside more traditional carol arrangements, offering stylistic contrast that keeps a holiday program engaging from start to finish.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing dynamic contrasts in contemporary-style arrangement
- Balancing melody and accompaniment within a rock-influenced harmonic context
- Coordinating with optional electric instruments while maintaining ensemble blend
- Sustaining rhythmic precision through repetitive, driving accompaniment patterns